■A  4  ■ 3 ;  4 / 


U.  S.  DEPARTMENT   OF  AGRICULTURE, 

BUREAU  OF  ANIMAL  IjfotfSTitY— Bi/dki*  No.  41. 

D.  E.  SALMON,  D.  V.  M.,  Chief  of  Bursal'. 


MEXICO  AS  A  MARKET 


PUREBRED   BEEF   CATTLE 


ri;»>M    THE 


XJ  JV  1  T  ED     ST  A  T  E  S 


D.    E.    SALMON,    D.    V.    M 
Chief  of  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERN  ME  1ST     I' K  I  N  T  I  N  G     OFFICE 

1  9  0  2 . 


Bulletin  No  41,  B.  A.  I 


U.  S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE, 

BUREAU  OF  ANIMAL  INDUSTRY— Bulletin  No.  41. 

D.  E.  SALMON,  D.  V.  M.,  Chief  of  Bureau. 


MEXICO  AS  A  MARKET 


FOR 


PUREBRED   BEEF   CATTLE 


FROM    THE 


UNITED     STATES 


D.    E.    SALMON,    D.    V.    M., 

Chief  of  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT    PRINTING     07FICE 

19  0  2. 


LETTER  OF  TRANSMITTAL 


U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture, 

Bureau  of  Animal  Industry, 
Washington,  D.  C,  January  31,  1902. 
Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith  some  data  relative  to 
the  importation  of  cattle  into  the  Republic  of  Mexico,  which  will 
probabl}7  be  helpful  to  those  breeders  of  purebred  cattle  in  the 
United  States  who  may  be  inclined  to  avail  themselves  of  the  advan- 
tages which  are  now  offered  in  that  country.  I  recommend  the  pub- 
lication of  this  matter  as  Bulletin  No.  41  of  the  Bureau  of  Animal 
Industry. 

Respectfully,  D.  E.  Salmon, 

Chief  of  Bureau, 
Hon.  James  Wilson, 

Secretary  of  Agriculture. 
2 


CONTEXTS 


Page. 

Preliminary  statement 5 

Mexicans  seeking  a  market . 6 

Our  exports  to  Mexico 6 

Poor  cattle  imposed  on  Mexicans 7 

Exorbitant  prices  are  detrimental 8 

Prices  of  purebred  cattle 9 

How  to  introduce  our  cattle  into  Mexico 12 

Kind  of  cattle  to  export 13 

Mexican  Government  regulations 14 

Literature  in  Spanish  language 14 

Breeders'  organizations . . 14 

Letters  from  consular  officers 15 


ILLUSTRATION. 


Map  of  Mexico Frontispiece 

3 


ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  BUREAU  OF  ANIMAL  INDUSTRY. 


Chief.— D.  E.  Salmon.  D.  V.  M. 

Assistant  chief. — A.  D.  Melvin.  D.  V.  S. 

Chief  clerk.— S.  R.  Burch. 

Dairy  division. — Henry  E.  Alvord,  C.  E..  chief:  R.  A.  Pearson.  M.  S.,  assistant 
chief. 

Inspection  division. — A.  M,  Farrington,  B.  S..  B.  V.  S..  chief:  E.  J.  Jones, 
assistant  chief. 

Miscellaneous  division. — Richard  W.  Hickman.  Ph.  G..  V.  M.  D..  chief. 

Editorial  clerk. — George  Fayette  Thompson. 

Artist.— -W.  S.  D.  Haines. 

Expert  in  animal  husbandry. — George  M.  Rommel.  B.  S.  A. 

Librarian. — Beatrice  C.  Oberly. 

LABORATORIES. 

Biochemic  division. — E.  A.  de  Schweinitz.  Ph.  D..  M.  D..  chief;  Marion  Dorset, 
M.  D..  assistant  chief. 

Expert  in  dairy  chemistry. — George  E.  Patrick.  M.  S. 

Pathological  division.— Ch.  Wardell  Stiles,  M.  S..  Ph.  D..  A.  M.,  chief. 

Zoological  division. — John  R.  Mohler.  V.  M.  D.,  zoologist:  Albert  HassalL 
M.  R.  C.  V.  S..  acting  assistant  zoologist. 

EXPERIMENT    STATION. 

Superintendent. — E.  C.  Schroeder.  M.  D.  V.:  expert  assistant,  W.  E.  Cotton. 
4 


MEXICO  AS  A  MARKET  FOR  PUREBRED  BEEF 

CATTLE. 


PRELIMINARY   STATEMENT. 

The  purpose  of  publishing  the  information  contained  in  this  bulletin 
is  to  assist  those  who  raise  purebred  cattle  to  find  a  market  for  their 
surplus  animals.  A  careful  perusal  of  the  letters  from  the  United 
States  consular  officers  in  Mexico  shows  very  clearly  that  there  is  a 
great  demand  in  Mexico  for  bulls  of  our  beef  breeds  for  improving 
the  size  and  quality  of  the  small  Mexican  cattle.  There  are  already 
many  of  them  being  used  for  this  purpose  in  that  country.  The  let- 
ters also  point  out  some  of  the  principal  drawbacks  which  exporters 
of  cattle  to  that  country  encounter,  but  at  the  same  time  the  oppor- 
tunities afforded  are  fully  set  forth. 

The  largest  cattle  ranches  of  Mexico  are  in  the  northern  States — 
those  bordering  the  United  States,  such  as  Sonora,  Chihuahua,  and 
Coahuila — but  cattle  raising  is  an  industry  of  no  mean  proportions  in 
many  other  of  the  States  of  the  Republic.  These  ranches  are  there 
called  haciendas,  and  many  of  them  contain  many  hundreds  of  square 
miles.  It  is  not  uncommon  to  find  upon  them  as  many  as  20,000  head 
of  cattle.  It  is  stated  upon  good  authority  that  one  wealthy  Mexican 
brands  from  30,000  to  40,000  calves  annually  on  his  haciendas. 

The  following  information  concerning  the  cattle  industry  of  Mexico 
is  taken  from  Bulletin  Xo.  9  of  the  Bureau  of  American  Republics, 
issued  July,  1891: 

One  of  the  most  important  of  Mexico's  industries  is  cattle  raising.  The  States 
of  the  northern  frontier  are  so  well  adapted  to  such  purposes  that  they  may  be 
said  to  be  immense  cattle  ranges.  The  excellent  situation  of  the  lands  as  well  as 
their  generally  well- watered  condition  will,  as  has  been  said  by  persons  who  have 
given  study  to  the  matter,  make  Mexico  a  formidable  rival  of  the  Argentine 
Republic.  Lately.  Texan  and  English  capitalists  have  made  extensive  purchases 
of  lands  and  live  stock  in  the  northern  States,  and  are  devoting  themselves  to  the 
lucrative  business  of  raising  cattle  for  the  market.  But  it  is  not  only  in  the  tem- 
perate and  cold  lands  of  the  northern  States  that  this  industry  may  be  carried  on. 
In  the  warmer  latitudes,  where  the  herbaceous  vegetation  is  exuberant  and  water 
courses  abundant,  it  offers  equal  opportunity  for  success. 

The  fattening  of  beeves  on  ranges  well-conditioned  for  grazing,  or  which  lend 
themselves  to  grass  growing  and  are  well  watered,  give  excellent  results. 

•  S  -rr  *  *  *  * 

The  States  of  Durango.  Sonora.  Chihuahua.  Xuevo  Leon.  Coahuila.  Tamaulipas. 
Vera  Cruz,  and  Michoacan  present  admirable  fields  for  the  carrying  on  of  this 

5 


6  BUKEAU    OF    ANIMAL    INDUSTRY. 

great  industry.  The  rich  pasture  lands  of  the  latter  State  feed  the  thousands  of 
cattle  slaughtered  for  the  sustenance  of  the  residents  of  the  capital  of  the  Mexican 
Republic,  which  is  by  no  means  an  inconsiderable  number,  for  during  the  year  1888 
there  were  83,228  beeves  and  130,263  sheep  slaughtered  in  the  abattoirs  of  the  city 
of  Mexico.  Some  of  the  States  above  named  are  not  well  provided  with  water,  but 
it  has  been  demonstrated  that  with  small  expense  all  the  necessary  water  can  be 
provided  by  the  boring  of  wells.  In  the  State  of  Guanajuato  a  company,  under 
the  patronage  of  the  State  government,  has  bored  wells  and  begun  the  breeding 
and  fattening  of  cattle  on  a  large  scale.  This  company  has  imported  into  the 
country  a  considerable  number  of  specimens  of  the  best  breeds  of  horned  cattle 
from  the  United  States  and  elsewhere,  and  judging  from  appearances  its  efforts 
are  meeting  with  gratifying  success. 

Mexico  raises  great  numbers  of  cattle  for  the  United  States,  and  does  so  under 
better  conditions  of  climate  than  the  latter  country,  for  the  stock  raisers  of  this 
country  lose  thousands  every  year  owing  to  the  rigorous  winter  and  severe  sum- 
mers, while  in  Mexico  perennial  spring  smiles  on  man  and  beast. 

Statistics  show  that  in  1883,  in  the  northern  States  of  Mexico  alone,  over  an  area 
of  300,000  square  miles  there  roamed  1.500.000  horned  cattle,  2,500,000  goats, 
1,000.000  sheep,  1.000.000  horses,  and  500,000  mules.  During  the  same  year  there 
were  20.574  cattle  ranches  in  the  country,  valued  at  S515.000,000.  which  number 
and  value  have  increased  considerably  in  the  last  seven  years. 

MEXICANS   SEEKING   A   MARKET. 

Previous  to  the  passage  of  our  tariff  act  of  July  24,  1897,  a  large 
part  of  the  surplus  cattle  from  the  hacieudas  of  these  bordering  States 
found  a  market  in  the  United  States  whence  they  were  taken  for 
pasturage  in  dry  seasons  and  for  feeding.  The  number  thus  brought 
over  the  border  was  sometimes  as  great  as  400,000  annually.  The 
tariff  then  was  20  per  cent  ad  valorem,  but  since  1897  it  has  been  83.75 
per  head  for  animals  valued  at  814  or  less,  and  the  annual  importa- 
tions have  fallen  to  about  100,000. 

Thus  was  created  a  situation  which  alarmed  the  Mexican  cattle 
raisers,  who  found  their  surplus  of  several  hundred  thousand  cattle 
thrown  back  upon  them,  and  they  were  under  the  necessity  of  finding 
other  markets.  In  seeking  such  markets  they  have  discovered  that,  in 
order  to  meet  competition,  they  must  produce  an  animal  that  is  worth 
shipping,  and  one  that  will  sell  when  it  is  shipped.  In  other  words, 
they  must  be  able  to  ship  animals  which  are  much  larger  than  the 
native  stock,  and  which  carry  a  large  percentage  of  the  blood  of  the 
well-known  beef  breeds.  The  Mexicans  are  now  looking  to  England 
as  an  outlet  for  their  cattle,  and  their  purpose  in  importing  our  pure- 
bred bulls  is  to  build  up  their  native  herds  so  that  the  product  will 
sell  well  abroad. 

OUR  EXPORTS  TO   MEXICO. 

Our  exports  of  cattle  to  Mexico,  which  are  probably  all  breeding 
animals,  have  been  increasing  recently.  A  table  is  compiled,  which 
shows  the  number  and  value,  as  well  as  the  average  price  per  head 
of  the  cattle  exported  to  Mexico  during  the  years  1893  to  1900,  inclu- 
sive.    These  figures  are  taken  from  the  monthly  reports  of  the  Bureau 


MEXICO    AS    A    MARKET    FOR    PUREBRED    CATTLE.  < 

of  Statistics  of  the  Treasury  Department.  For  use  in  making  com- 
parisons and  for  general  interest  the  number  and  value  of  the  sheep, 
hogs,  and  horses  exported  to  Mexico  are  also  given.  The  table 
follows : 

Number  and  value  of  cattle,  sheep,  hogs,  and  horses  (.'-ported  to  Mexico,  1S93  to 

100".  inclusive. 


Cattle.  Sheep.  Hogs.  Horses. 


Year. 


Number.    Value.    "  ^TJ^f6  Number.    Value.    Number.    Value.    Number.    Value. 


L888 663  $38,967  -  1.261  $4,417  977 

1894 2,150  35.331  16.31  5,338  B.648  1,305 

1895.. 887  34.5VJ3  39.00  1,768  >.(»47  8,105 

1896 -Ul  33.08  5.373  14.121  345.  056  1,198        $73,074 


J3S.3H7 

35. 331 

lf>.  31 

34,598 

39. 1 « i 

28,  441 

33.03 

36,  -54 

.V.'.  57 

94,  4(  4 

87.7.5 

4:>.7n 

L40.1H» 

43.  77 

$34.d7n 

16, 555 

97.675 

345. 056 

1H7.646 

36,014 

107,341 

24.534 

701  36.>54  52.57  2,077  >.  275  9.494  li.i7.64ti  1.318  7<>.672 

1898 2,500  94,404  87.76  3.179  12,205  3,305  36,014  1,733  99.360 

1899 3.236  138,223  42. 7n  2.514  11.112  8,104  l"7.34l  1.414  98.065 

1900 3,201  140,119  48.77  3.5i>9  13.503  2,095  24.534  994  96. 780 


POOR    CATTLE    IMPOSED    ON   MEXICANS. 

It  is  stated  above  that  probably  all  of  these  eattle  which  go  from 
the  United  States  into  Mexico  are  breeding  stock.  The  average  price 
being  so  low  lends  color  to  the  oft-repeated  charge  that  most  of  the 
cattle  which  have  so  far  found  a  market  in  Mexico  have  been  of  very 
inferior  stock.  It  can  hardly  be  doubted,  after  reading  the  state- 
ments of  our  consular  officers,  that  the  Mexicans  have  been  grossly 
deceived  by  dealers  in  American  cattle.  It  is  pleasant  to  be  informed 
by  Consul-General  Barlow,  at  Mexico,  that  "of  cattle  purchased  from 
Americans  in  the  United  States  there  has  not  been,  to  my  knowledge, 
a  single  complaint."  This  is  what  Mr.  Barlow  says  concerning  the 
imposition  referred  to  above: 

It  must  be  admitted  that  at  present  Swiss  eattle  are  rather  more  in  favor  among 
the  native  stoek  raisers  than  American  eattle.  not  from  any  lack  of  merit  of  really 
purebred  cattle,  but  because  certain  unscrupulous  dealers  have  imposed  inferior 
cattle  upon  native  cattle  raisers  and  breeders  under  the  representation  that  they 
were  purebred  American  cattle.  The  deception  is,  of  course,  found  out  sooner  or 
later  and  reflects  in  no  small  degree  upon  American  cattle,  or,  rather,  upon  Ameri- 
can cattle  dealers  in  general.  Of  cattle  purchased  from  Americans  in  the  United 
States,  there  has  not  been,  to  my  knowledge,  a  single  complaint.  Such  cattle  have 
always  proved  entirely  satisfactory. 

Various  methods  to  prevent  the  shipment  to  Mexico  of  cattle  not 
registered  have  been  suggested.  One  consul  calls  attention  to  the 
practice  of  the  Swi^s  Government  of  inspecting  all  cattle  exported 
from  that  country  and  issuing  certificates  of  the  pedigreed  animals. 
He  says  the  result  is  that  no  spurious  Swiss  cattle  have  entered 
Mexico.  While  this  method  might  be  impracticable  for  the  United 
States  Government,  it  might  be  practicable  for  the  breeders  themselves 
to  organize  for  the  purpose  of  giving  a  guaranty  with  the  animals  they 
sell.  Such  an  organization  should  be  so  thoroughly  representative  as 
to  command  the  respect  of  the  cattle  raisers  of  Mexico. 


»  BUREAU    OF    ANIMAL    INDUSTRY. 

EXORBITANT   PRICES   ARE   DETRIMENTAL. 

There  is  a  general  complaint  coming  up  from  Mexico  that  the  prices 
of  our  cattle  are  too  high.  On  this  point  Hon.  Leandro  Fernandez, 
Secretary  of  Fomento  (agriculture),  says: 

I  believe  that  to  promote  the  importation  into  this  country  of  fine-blooded  cat- 
tle from  the  United  States  it  will  be  necessary  for  the  cattle  raisers  of  the  United 
States  to  reduce  their  prices,  for  the  real  obstruction  to  the  importation  of  Ameri- 
can cattle  is  to  be  found  in  the  high — I  might  say  almost  prohibitive — prices. 

The  average  prices  which  have  been  received  for  our  cattle  for  sev- 
eral years  in  Mexico  do  not  indicate  that  too  much  was  asked  for 
good  purebred  animals.  However,  the  prices  asked  may  have  been 
altogether  too  high  for  the  kind  of  cattle  offered,  since  we  are  informed 
that  so  many  inferior  animals  have  been  imposed  upon  the  Mexicans 
as  purebred.  The  fair  prices  asked  by  the  honest  breeders  of  the 
United  States  would  probably  not  appear  exorbitant  to  the  Mexicans 
if  they  knew  how  greatly  superior  such  animals  are  to  those  which 
have  been  sold  down  there  as  purebreds.  The  Mexicans  will  not  for- 
get that  the  object  they  have  in  view  in  improving  their  herds  is  to 
produce  a  class  of  animals  which  will  sell  in  England,  and  it  ought 
not  to  be  difficult  to  convince  them  that  the  best  means  to  attain  this 
end  is  by  the  employment  of  the  very  best  breeding  animals  to  be 
had.  It  was  b}T  such  methods  that  the  United  States  reached  its 
present  high  position  with  reference  to  purebred  cattle;  and  Mexico, 
too,  will  learn* that  there  is  no  other  method  which  will  lead  to  prefer- 
ment. 

The  breeders  of  purebred  cattle  in  the  United  States  are  not  pro- 
ducing a  surplus  so  large  that  it  becomes  necessary  to  sell  them  at 
greatly  reduced  prices.  They  have  a  fairly  good  market  at  home. 
The  possibilities  of  increasing  the  number  of  breeding  animals  in  this 
country  are  great,  and  the  breeders  are  ready  to  take  up  the  work 
whenever  they  can  see  that  it  is  likely  to  prove  profitable. 

It  is  quite  evident,  however,  if  we  may  judge  by  the  experiences  of 
men  in  providing  markets  for  other  products,  that  concessions  must 
be  made;  that  those  who  have  cattle  to  sell  must  do  something  toward 
creating  a  market.  It  would  be  a  far-seeing  policy  for  our  breeders 
to  do  their  utmost  to  create,  not  only  in  Mexico,  but  in  the  South 
American  countries  also,  a  market  for  those  classes  of  breeding  ani- 
mals which  we  can  best  produce.  When  once  such  a  market  is  cre- 
ated our  breeders  could  bend  their  energies  toward  increased  pro- 
duction in  order  to  supply  the  demand  which  they  have  created. 
Therefore  it  has  been  suggested  that  it  may  be  the  best  plan  for  our 
breeders  to  reduce  the  prices  of  animals  for  export  to  Mexico  until 
such  time  as  the  Mexicans  may  become  convinced  that  the  cattle  sent 
them  are  all  that  is  claimed  for  them  and  that  such  cattle  are  indis- 
pensable to  the  success  of  the  object  which  they  have  in  view. 


MEXICO    AS    A    MARKET    FOR    PUREBRED    CATTLE.  V 

PRICES   OF  PUREBRED    CATTLE. 

The  impression  appears  to  prevail  to  some  extent  in  Mexico  that 
the  prices  which  are  asked  by  the  breeders  of  purebred  cattle  in  the 
United  States  are  altogether  too  high,  and  some  of  them  have  the 
impression  that  the  prices  quoted  to  Mexican  buyers  are  much  higher 
than  the  animals  would  bring  if  sold  in  the  United  States.  The  best 
answers  to  such  objections  may  be  found  in  the  reports  of  actual  sales 
made  at  different  points  in  this  country.  Below  is  given  some  sta- 
tistics of  sales  of  the  different  breeds  of  purebred  cattle,  which  were 
compiled  by  Col.  F.  M.  Woods  and  published  in  the  Breeders'  Gazette 
for  December,  1901 : 


Table  showing  average  juices  of  pun  bred 

SHORTHORNS. 


cattle  in  1^<>1. 


Date  of  sale. 


Place  of  sale. 


Number 
sold. 


Total. 


Average 
price. 


January  1.3 West  Liberty.  Iowa. 

January  17-18 Kansas  City 

Fel  raary  8 Indianapolis 

February  t> Kansas  City 

February  12-13 Chicago.  Ill 

February  13 Port  Worth.  Tex .... 

Fe  oruary  13 Fort  Worth.  Tex 

February  13 Fort  Worth.  Tex .... 

February  21 Kansas  City 

March  6-7 Kansas  City 

March  6-7 Kansas  City 

March  6-7 Kansas  City 

March  12-13 South  Omaha 

March  14-15 West  Liberty.  Iowa. 

March  22 Newton.  Iowa.. 

March  26 Minneapolis.  Minn  . . 

March  29 Kansas  City 

March  29 Kansas  City 

March  29 Kansas  City 

March  28 Mount  Sterling.  Ill . . 

Ma  re  h  27 E  d  en .  HI -... 

April  3-4 Macomb.  M 

Aprilo. Chicago 

April  5 ..    Chicago 

Api-ilS Chicago 

April  5 Chicago 

Aprils.. Chicago 

April  9 Webster  City.  Iowa. 

April  10 '  Rolf e.  Iowa 

April  11 Victor.  Iowa 

April  12 Victor.  Iowa 

April  12 _ Victor.  Towa 

Aprils Marshall cown.  Iowa 

April  17 Sutherland.  Iowa  . . . 

April  15 Newton.  Iowa 

April  17 Indianapolis 

April  22-23 Kansas  City 

April  24 Capron.  Iowa 


42 
132 
56 
59 

82 
•14 


$3,537 
12,615 
7,825 

5.916 

15,445 

7,645 

410 

1,662 

6,860 

13.845 

7,535 

7,705 

36,845 

25,755 

13.465 

14, 780 

9.930 

1,535 

465 

9.665 

9.430 

7.560 

6,080 

6. 835 

9,200 


7 

3,940 

51 

14.  m 

50 

27. 20.5 

43 

13,630 

51 

27. 370 

5 

840 

21 

3,570 

27 

8,215 

33 

5.195 

54 

8,200 

97 

21.015 

52 

13,185 

$84  20 

95. 57 
1:2. 15 
10  J.  00 
188.35 
173.  75 
205.00 
236.00 
118.30 
346.12 
376.75 
192.62 
454.  s5 
286. 16 
217. 20 
328. 45 
292.00 
127.90 
155. 00 
268.50 
230.00 
114.5* 
1.216.00 
683.50 
613.33 
780.55 
562.85 
275.80 
544.10 
317.00 
536.65 
168.00 
170.00 
304.25 
157. 40 
152. 00 
216.65 
368.95 


10 


BUREAU    OF    ANIMAL    INDUSTRY. 


Table  showing  average  prices  of  purebred  beef  cattle  in  1901 — Continued. 

SHORTHORNS— Continued. 


Date  of  sale. 


Place  of  sale. 


Number 
sold. 


Total. 


Average 
price. 


April  25 
April  26 
April  30 
Mayl... 
May  1-2. 
May  9— . 
May  14  . 
May  15  . 
May  16  . 
May  17  . . 
May  23  . . 


Collins.  Iowa 

Crawfordsville,  Iowa 

Indianapolis 

Attica.  Ind 

Springfield.  Ill 

Indianapolis 

Madison,  Wis  - 

Webster,  Ohio 

Osborn,  Ohio. 

Williamsport,  Ohio... 
Des  Moines,  Iowa 


May  24 South  Omaha 


June  6 

June  4 

June  5 

June  5 

June  5 

June  5 

June  7 

June  19 

August  7 

September  3 . 
September  20 
September  26 
October  3.... 
October  3.... 

October  3 

October  3 

October  4 

October  2 

October  9 

October  9 

October  16  ... 
October  17  . . . 
October  16  .... 
October  17  .... 
October  23-24 
October  16  .... 

October  11 

October  29  .... 
October  30.... 
October  31.... 
October  30.... 
November  1  . . 
November  2  . . 
October  29.... 
October  30.... 

October  31 

October  31 ... . 
November  6  . . 
November  7  . . 
November  5  . . 
November  15.. 
November  14.. 


Preemption,  111 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Orion.  Ill 

Indianapolis 

Chicago 

Hamline,  Minn 

Plover,  Iowa 

Louisville,  Ky 

Newton,  Iowa 

Newton,  Iowa 

Newton.  Iowa 

Newton,  Iowa 

Newton,  Iowa 

New  Sharon,  Iowa 

Morning  Sun,  Iowa 

Morning  Sun,  Iowa 

Delaware,  Ohio 

Perry.  Ohio 

Columbus  Junction,  Iowa 

Kalona,  Iowa 

Kansas  City 

Linden  wood,  Iowa 

Miles,  Iowa 

Sutherland,  Iowa 

Sutherland,  Iowa 

Sutherland,  Iowa 

Newton,  Iowa. 

Lancaster,  Wis 

Clarksville,  Ohio 

Montrose,  Ky 

Paris.  Ky 

Winchester,  Ky 

Rockville,  Ind. 

KansasCity 

Chicago 

Mineral  Point.  Wis 

West  Liberty,  Iowa 

Indianola,  Iowa 


$12,180 

7,057 

6. 585 

3,580 

22, 760 

4.975 

13.835 

4,465 

16,215 

11,240 

15.390 

7.529 

9,065 

31,900 

16,095 

6,990 

10, 870 

10.945 

8,275 

3, 94a 

28. 245 

13, 450 

9,700 

6,850 

26.690 

7.955 

445 

155 

9.0,50 

IS. 260 

9.540 

6,065 

2,780 

6.910 

,5. 245 

6. 015 

16,840 

1.075 

6, 085 

16.975 

11,880 

17, 385 

3,610 

5,115 

4. 370 

3,380 

5.705 

4,050 

2,340 

10.070 

51 1, 545 

9,805 

25.505 

25,330 


$283. 25 
147.05 
205.  75 
155. 65 
290.53 
130. 90 
247.05 
318.92 
463. 30 
244. 35 
320. 60 

92.  S  5 
171.03 
725. 00 
1,073.00 
635.  45 
724.  G6 
576. 10 
168..  90 
207. 63 
656. 85 
269. 00 
206.40 
185.00 
646. 35 
883. 90 
148.33 
155.00 
220. 75 
351. 15 
530. 00 
303. 25 
116. 25 

86. 37 
115.50 
231.00 
377. 00 
107.50 
156.00 
343.00 
312. 63 
344.30 

95. 00 
104.30 
101.60 

82. 45 

96.50 
115. 70 
117.00 
228.  85 
1,123.22 
192.30 
581.00 
506.60 


MEXICO    AS    A    MARKET    FOR    PUREBRED    CATTLE. 


11 


Table  showing  average  prices  of  purebred  beef  cattle  in  1901 — Continued. 
SHORTHORXS-Continued. 


Date  of  sale. 

Place  of  sale.                       N^<H    TotaL 

Average 
price. 

Galesburtr.  Ill 

52       $11,M) 

50          7.790 
50          6,980 

8223. 45 

November  9 

Galesburg.  Ill 

Kansas  Citv 

155. 80 
139.60 

November  12 

November  14 . 

Kansas  City 

Indianapolis. 

Monroe.  Wis 

50  12.915 
115         21.195 

51  7.920 
90           7.405 
33          3. 425 
69         43. 760 

258.30 
184.32 
155. 30 

246. 80 

103. 75 

December  3 

Chicago 

634. 20 

ANGUS. 


January  10-11. 
February  7  . . 

March  6-8 

March  20-21  ... 
March  2ii  21 
March  20-21  .. 
March  20-21  . . 
April  29-30  . .  - 

May  7 

May  -  it 

June  11-12 

November  0-7 
November  15 
November  15 
December  5  -  - 


Chicago 

Indianapolis 

Chicago 

Kansas  City 

Kansas  City 

Kansas  City 

Kansas  City 

Kansas  City 

Indianapolis  ... 
I  South  Omaha  .  _ 

Chicago  .- 

Chicago 

Indianapolis  ... 
Sharpsburg.  Ill 
Chicago 


101 

17.105 

47 

6.510 

143 

68.630 

30 

6.510 

37 

10,600 

26 

5.4-55 

14 

2.570 

103 

20.975 

41 

5,865 

110 

24. 9:30 

71 

18,304 

95 

16, 495 

5-5 

5. 435 

25 

5.525 

96 

33,055 

169. 35 
138. 50 
479.95 
217.00 
288. 10 
209.80 
183.60 
203. 65 
143.00 
226. 65 
257. 81 
173.63 
98.80 
221.00 
344.00 


HEREFORDS. 


January  21-25. . 
January  21-25.. 
January  21-25. . 
January  21-25.. 
January  21-25.. 
February  5-6  _  _ 
February  7-8  . . 
February  15  . . . 
February  14-15 
February  14-15 
February  14-15 
February  19-20 
February  19-20 
February  19-20 
February  19-20 
February  26-28 
February  26-28 
February  26-28 
February  26-28 
February  26-28 
February  26-28 

April  2-3. 

May  8 

May  21-22 


Kansas  City 

Kansas  City 

Kansas  City 

Kansas  City 

Kansas  City 

Indianapolis 

Kansas  City 

South  Omaha 

Fort  Worth.  Tex. 
Fort  Worth.  Tex. 
Fort  Worth,  Tex. 

Kansas  City 

Kansas  City 

Kansas  City 

Kansas  City 

Kansas  City 

Kansas  City 

Kansas  City 

Kansas  City. 

Kansas  City 

Kansas  City. 

Kansas  City 

Indianapolis  

Chicago 


.50 

21,160 

70 

24. 135 

25 

8,195 

19 

11,100 

30 

8,350 

71 

16. 180 

117 

18.810 

46 

8,780 

65 

15, 415 

a3 

7,210 

37 

6,750 

55 

14.275 

20 

5,620 

14 

3,165 

15 

3.665 

45 

17,260 

10 

2.505 

47 

13.515 

48 

10,835 

49 

13, 700 

2 

1,360 

165 

16.270 

76 

15,915 

98 

33,620 

423. 20 
344. 79 
327. 40 

584. 21 
278.33 
227.90 
160.75 
190.85 
237.15 
218.  .50 
182. 45 
259. 55 
281.00 
226. 10 
244.33 
383. 55 
250.50 
287.60 
225.70 
279.60 
680.00 

98.60 
209.40 
343.00 


12 


BUREAU    OF    ANIMAL    INDUSTRY. 


Table  showing  average  juices  of  purebred  beef  cattle  in  1901 — Continued. 
HEREFORDS— Continued. 


Date  of  sale. 


Place  of  sale. 


Number 
sold. 

Total. 

71 

$14,440 

65 

19,450 

79 

18,105 

59 

7,865 

135 

34,190 

71 

11.475 

112 

18,465 

96 

36,525 

Average 
price. 


September  4-5 . . 
September  24-25 

October  8-7 

October  9 

October  22-24  .. . 

November  13 

November  21-22  . 
December  4-5 

Aprils 

April  15 

Mayl 

May  9 

May  15 

June  19 

October  16 

November  12  . . . 


Hamline,  Minn 

Louisville,  Ky 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Kansas  City 

Indianapolis 

National  Stock  Yards,  111. 
Chicago 


$203.  35 
299.00 
229.15 
133.30 
253.25 
161.62 
164.85 
380.00 


POLLED  DURHAMS. 


Marshalltown.  Iowa 

Newton.  Iowa 

Attica.  Ind 

Indianapolis 

Webster,  Ohio 

Indianapolis 

Delaware.  Ohio 

Indianapolis 


20 

3.955 

27 

4,655 

40 

5,145 

10 

1,240 

35 

11,705 

24 

9.175 

42 

8.040 

45 

8.710 

197. 75 
172.00 
128.60 
124.00 
331.57 
382.33 
191.44 
193. 50 


GALLOWAYS. 

October  25 

Kansas  City '. 

35 
33 

4,710 
9.405 

131. 75 

December  6 

Chicago 

285.00 

RED  POLLS. 

May  3 

June  18 

Tonti.  Ill 

42 
37 

| 
8,730 

9.510 

207. 85 

Fairfield.  "N>hr 

257. 03 

GENERAL  AVERAGES. 

Breed. 


Shorthorns 

Angus 

Herefords 

Red  Polls 

Polled  Durhams . 
Galloways 

Grand  total 


Number 
sold. 

Total. 

Average. 

4.045 

81,136,290.95 

$280.91 

894 

248,025.00 

277.43 

1,885 

458.305.00 

240.80 

79 

18.210.00 

230.50 

243 

52.625.00 

216.56 

68 

14.115.00 

207.57 

.  7,214 

1,927.570.95 

287.20 

HOW  TO  INTRODUCE   OUR   CATTLE   INTO   MEXICO. 

All  efforts  for  the  introduction  of  breeding  cattle  into  Mexico  have 
heretofore  been  made  by  private  individuals.  This  being  the  case  is 
win*  it  has  been  an  easy  matter  for  unscrupulous  men  to  impose  infe- 
rior animals  upon  Mexicans  as  purebreds.  Our  own  breeders,  by 
some  system  of  cooperation,  ought  soon  to  be  able  to  overcome  the 


MEXICO    AS    A    MARKET    FOR    PUREBRED    CATTLE.  13 

prejudice  now  in  the  minds  of  Mexicans,  and  to  adopt  methods  of 
shipment  and  exhibition  of  cattle  which  will  prove  satisfactory  to 
both  buyer  and  seller.  The  Mexican  buyers  desire  to  see  the  animals 
which  they  purchase,  and  it  is  useless  to  expect  good  prices  while  they 
are  in  their  present  frame  of  mind  if  they  are  not  permitted  to  see 
what  they  are  buying.  It  will  take  time  and  fair  dealing  to  overcome 
this  requirement,  but  no  doubt  it  can  be  done.  The  proper  thing  to 
do  at  this  time,  in  opening  up  a  market  in  Mexico,  is  to  bring  the 
buyer,  the  seller,  and  the  cattle  together. 

The  methods  of  reaching  the  Mexican  buyer  must  be  left  to  the 
breeders  to  determine.  It  seems  to  be  the  consensus  of  opinion  of  the 
consular  officers  that  cattle  should  be  on  exhibition  at  all  of  the  prin- 
cipal fairs  held  in  the  republic,  and  also  at  the  larger  cities.  Proper 
precautions  should  be  taken  to  prevent  loss  when  cattle  are  sent  to 
districts  infected  with  Texas  fever.  Hon.  Charles  W.  Kindrick. 
consul  at  Ciudad  Juarez,  Chihuahua,  says: 

Something  should  be  done  to  get  the  purebred  stock  of  the  United  States  before 
the  Mexican  ranchmen.  It  is  impossible  to  take  herds  of  bulls  from  one  part  of 
the  State  to  the  other  to  exhibit  them.  The  railroad  facilities  are  too  limited,  and 
it  would  be  out  of  the  question  to  drive  them  from  place  to  place  across  the  arid 
plains  and  mountains.  It  occurs  to  me  that  something  might  be  done,  perhaps 
under  the  patronage  of  Government,  to  establish  an  exhibition  of  purebred  stock 
in  Ciudad  Juarez.  From  November  to  March  the  breeders  could  ship  stock  here 
where  feeding  would  be  comparatively  cheap,  since  hay  and  grain  delivered  at 
El  Paso  or  Juarez  is  at  a  nominal  price.  During  the  season  I  mention,  the  ranch- 
men, many  of  them,  visit  the  border,  and  more  would  come  if  such  an  exhibit 
existed  to  attract  them.  With  an  arrangement  of  this  kind  they  could  see  the 
stock,  could  gain  all  the  necessary  information  about  it.  and  would,  no  doubt, 
when  properly  impressed,  buy  annually  a  sufficient  number  of  bulls  to  give  them 
a  high  class  and  heavy  strain  of  range  cattle. 

KIXD    OF   CATTLE   TO   EXPORT. 

It  must  be  remembered  that  the  demand  in  Mexico  is  for  the  beef 
breeds.  Some  Holsteins  have  found  a  market  there,  but  they  were 
purchased  more  for  their  beef  qualities  than  for  their  milking  quali- 
ties. The  Mexicans  want  meat,  not  milk;  and  since  the  practice  is 
beginning  to  be  adopted  there  of  selling  animals  by  weight  instead 
of  by  the  head,  as  has  been  the  custom  heretofore,  the  demand  is  for 
large  animals. 

The  point  is  made  by  some  importers  into  that  country  that  the 
blooded  stock  centers  of  the  United  States  are  north  of  what  is  known 
as  the  Texas  fever  line,  and  therefore  those  centers  can  not  be  drawn 
upon  for  supplies,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  cattle  would  contract 
Texas  fever  and  in  all  probability  die.  It  is  suggested  by -one  of  the 
consuls  that  animals  for  export  to  Mexico  should,  consequently,  be 
drawn  from  the  Southern  States,  where  the  cattle  are  all  supposed 
to  be  immune.     A  distinction  should,  however,  be   made   between 


14  BUREAU    OF    ANIMAL    INDUSTRY. 

infected  and  uninfected  sections  of  Mexico.  The  elevated  portions 
of  Chihuahua  and  Sonora  and  probably  of  other  States  of  Mexico  are 
apparently  free  from  Texas  fever  infection,  and  if  protected  by  a 
quarantine  line  such  as  we  have  in  the  United  States  would  remain 
safe  for  our  Northern  cattle.  It  would  not  be  advisable  to  send 
cattle  from  our  fever  district  to  these  regions,  as  they  might  carry 
infection  to  the  susceptible  animals  raised  there,  and  thus  create  a 
bad  impression.  Cattle  from  our  Southern  States  might,  however, 
be  used  with  advantage  in  the  coast  districts  or  other  infected  parts 
of  Mexico.  These  infected  districts  might,  also,  be  supplied  with 
cattle  made  immune  by  inoculation,  a  method  now  being  used  for 
improved  cattle  sent  from  our  Northern  States  to  Texas  and  other 
States  within  the  fever  district.  Experiments  with  reference  to  this 
method  of  immunization  have  been  conducted  at  the  experiment 
station  of  the  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry. 

MEXICAN   GOVERNMENT  REGULATIONS. 

A  few  months  ago  the  Government  of  Mexico  made  an  amendment 
to  its  tariff  laws  with  reference  to  blooded  cattle,  wherein  during  the 
year  ending  June  30,  1902,  blooded  cattle  are  admitted  free  upon  the 
presentation  of  a  certificate  signed  by  any  Mexican  consul  as  evidence 
that  the  cattle  are  purebred.  Heretofore  a  pedigree  of  each  animal 
was  required.    It  is  believed  that  present  concessions  will  be  continued. 

LITERATURE   IN   SPANISH   LANGUAGE. 

All  literature  of  an  advertising  character  which  is  sent  to  Mexico 
should  be  printed  in  the  Spanish  language.  This  is  a  point  which 
ought  to  suggest  itself  to  breeders;  but  it  is  true  that  much  advertis- 
ing matter  which  is  printed  in  the  English  language  is  sent  down  there. 
The  easier  it  is  made  for  the  Mexicans  to  understand  the  points  we  are 
making  for  our  purebred  cattle,  the  more  certain  are  we  to  be  able  to 
do  business  with  them. 

BREEDERS'   ORGANIZATIONS. 

American  Shorthorn  Breeders'  Association,  John  W.  Groves,  sec- 
retary, Springfield,  111. 

American  Hereford  Cattle  Breeders'  Association,  C.  R.  Thomas, 
secretary,  225  West  Twelfth  street,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 

American  Aberdeen-Angus  Breeders'  Association,  Thomas  McFar- 
lane,  secretary,  Harvey,  111. 

American  Galloway  Breeders'  Association,  Frank  B.  Hearne,  secre- 
tary, Independence,  Mo. 

American  Devon  Cattle  Club,  L.  P.  Sisson,  secretary,  Newark,  Ohio. 

American  Sussex  Association,  Overton  Lea,  secretary,  Nashville, 
Tenn. 


MEXICO    AS    A    MARKET    FOR    PUREBRED    CATTLE.  15 

The  Red  Polled  Cattle  Club  of  America  (incorporated),  J.  McLain 
Smith,  secretary,  Dayton,  Ohio. 

American  Polled  Durham  Breeders'  Association,  Fletcher  S.  Hines, 
secretary,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

American  Polled  Hereford  Cattle  Club,  Warren  Gammon,  secre- 
tary, Des  Moines,  Iowa. 

Brown  Swiss  Cattle  Breeders'  Association,  N.  S.  Fish,  secretary, 
Oroton,  Conn. 

LETTERS  FROM  CONSULAR  OFFICERS. 

CHIHUAHUA. 

From  W.  W.  Mills,  United  States  consul  at  Chihuahua,  Mexico, 
dated  April  13,  1901: 

This  consular  district,  comprised  of  the  southern  half  of  the  State  of  Chihuahua, 
is  one  of  the  best  cattle  raising  districts  in  Mexico.  Last  year  one  of  the  native 
cattle  kings  sold  36,000  head  of  steers,  that  being  only  the  increase  of  his  herds. 
These  are  mostly  the  small  Mexican  breed  of  cattle. 

Of  recent  years  some  blooded  bulls  have  been  introduced  from  the  United  States, 
and  only  from  the  United  States,  and  turned  out  with  these  Mexican  herds  with 
satisfactory  results.  The  gentleman  mentioned  above  alone  imported  100  head  of 
these  bulls  in  1899  and  64  head  in  1900.  Other  ranchmen  imported  also,  but  I  can 
not  learn  the  total. 

These  bulls  were  three-quarter  grade  Herefords  and  cost,  delivered  at  El  Paso, 
$65  gold  per  head.  To  this  must  be  added  the  import  duty  of  2  cents.  Mexican  cur- 
rency, per  kilo,  which  means  about  S6  gold  per  head  for  3-year-olds  and  up.  Then 
we  must  add  railroad  freight  to  the  point  where  the  animals  are  disembarked. 

The  demand  for  these  animals  will  continue  to  increase,  but  I  can  not  suggest 
any  new  means  of  stimulating  it.  I  have  little  faith  in  printer's  ink  and  pictures 
for  Mexico.  A  knowledge  of  the  Spanish  language  and  the  confidence  of  the 
ranchmen  are  most  important. 

I  believe  it  would  be  a  paying  business  to  bring  purebred  bulls  and  cows  to 
Mexico  and  breed  them  together  here.  The  Mexicans  would  be  more  willing  to 
buy  home-raised  stock,  and  possibly  the  improvement  would  be  more  rapid. 

CIUDAD   JUAREZ. 

From  Charles  W.  Kindrick,  consul  at  Ciudad  Juarez,  Mexico,  dated 
April  15,  1901: 

For  several  years  past  there  has  existed  in  this  consular  district  a  demand  for 
purebred  cattle  to  be  used  for  the  purpose  of  improving  the  hardy  Mexican  stock. 
This  demand,  however,  has  been  slight,  considering  the  large  ranching  area. 
American  and  English  ranchmen  have  been  practically  the  only  cattle  raisers  to 
realize  the  value  of  introducing  purebred  stock.  They  are  now  constantly  add- 
ing Hereford  and  Shorthorn  bulls  to  their  herds.  From  the  beginning  they  have 
been  cognizant  of  the  necessity  of  crossing  the  purebred  animals  with  the  natives, 
and  now  on  many  of  their  ranches  the  stock  is  heavier,  more  easily  fattened,  and 
commands  better  prices  than  formerly. 

The  Corallitos  range,  owned  by  New  York  people,  and  comprising  about 
1,000,000  acres,  is  stocked  with  approximately  30,000  head  of  cattle,  nearly  all,  or 


16  BUKEAU    OF    ANIMAL    INDUSTRY. 

about  90  per  cent,  of  which  have  been  bred  from  blooded  Herefords  and  Short- 
horn bulls  and  native  cows.  From  100  to  200  head  of  the  best  bulls  obtainable  are 
brought  by  this  company  annually  from  northern  Texas  and  Kansas.  It  requires 
this  addition  each  year  to  keep  up  the  percentage  of  increase  in  the  herds,  largely 
on  account  of  the  nature  of  the  range  upon  which  they  live.  The  rainy  season 
in  northern  Chihuahua  commences  in  July  and  lasts  from  six  weeks  to  two  months. 
The  grass  then  gets  practically  its  only  annual  growth  and  the  cattle  have  about 
four  months  of  grazing,  when  development  is  marked.  For  eight  months  in  the 
year  they  progress  slightly,  since  the  grazing  is  sparse  and  scarcely  sufficient  to 
support  them  against  the  ensuing  rainy  season.  During  the  eight  dry  months 
from  20  to  30  acres  of  average  ranch  land  is  necessary  to  the  maintenance  of  each 
head  of  stock.  On  account  of  this  dryness  and  lack  of  sufficient  grazing  for 
developing  purposes  for  eight  of  the  twelve  months,  the  bulls  become  impotent, 
and  the  cows,  unless  they  are  natives  or  are  interbred,  become  sterile.  This  is 
the  principal  reason  why  a  fresh  importation  of  bulls  is  annually  necessary  on  a 
Chihuahua  range. 

It  has  been  proved  by  the  American  ranch  owners  that  the  fine  bulls  introduced 
and  bred  with  the  natives  increase  the  total  percentage  of  production.  More 
important  still,  there  is  a  decided  increase  in  the  weight  of  the  marketable  stock 
thus  produced. 

In  this  district,  the  San  Pedro  range  (125,000  acres)  and  the  Corallitos  range 
(1,000,000  acres)  make  annual  importations  from  the  United  States  of  fine  pure- 
bred bulls. 

Ex-Governor  Terrazas,  of  this  State,  the  largest  cattleman  in  Mexico,  has  more 
than  3,000,000  acres  of  grazing  lands.  Last  year,  as  an  experiment,  he  purchased 
a  carload  of  fine  bulls  in  Kansas  and  introduced  them  on  one  of  his  many  ranges. 
There  is  no  doubt  that  as  soon  as  the  good  results  of  this  experiment  are  visible 
he  will  import  annually  hundreds  of  fine  bulls. 

Mexican  ranchmen  have  not  purchased  the  fine  stock  nor  introduced  it  on  their 
ranges.  The  reason  why  they  have  not  done  so  is  mainly  a  lack  of  knowledge  of 
what  the  results  would  be.  They  have  been  unable  to  realize  why  they  should 
pay  from  $75  to  $125  (gold)  for  a  fine  bull  when  they  sell  their  cattle  at  so  much 
per  head  and  have  no  reason  to  complain  of  the  productiveness  of  the  native  stock. 
There  is  no  doubt,  however,  in  my  opinion  they  will  follow  to  a  large  extent  in  the 
course  of  time  the  example  set  by  the  American  ranchmen  and  ex-Governor  Terra- 
zas. There  is  another  reason  why  they  will  soon  be  induced  universally  to  improve 
their  herds.  A  large  packing  house  was  recently  established  at  Chihuahua.  The 
stock  it  uses  is  purchased  from  the  ranges  according  to  weight  and  not  by  the 
head.  The  native  cattle  are  invariably  thin  for  most  of  the  year,  and  are  not 
heavy  at  any  time.  In  fact,  they  have  small  frames,  and  even  when  corn-fed  and 
fattened  do  not  approximate  the  weight  of  the  animals  bred  from  the  fine  imported 
bulls  and  native  cows. 

Something  should  be  done  to  get  the  purebred  stock  of  the  United  States  before 
the  Mexican  ranchmen.  It  is  impossible  to  take  herds  of  bulls  from  one  part  of 
the  State  to  the  other  to  exhibit  them.  The  railroad  facilities  are  too  limited,  and 
it  would  be  out  of  the  question  to  drive  them  from  place  to  place  across  the  arid 
plains  and  mountains.  It  occurs  to  me  that  something  might  be  done,  perhaps, 
under  the  patronage  of  Government  to  establish  an  exhibition  of  purebred  stock 
in  Ciudad  Juarez.  From  November  to  March  the  breeders  could  ship  stock  here 
where  feeding  would  be  comparatively  cheap,  since  hay  and  grain  delivered  at 
El  Paso  or  Juarez  is  at  a  nominal  price.  During  the  season  I  mention  the  ranch- 
men, many  of  them,  visit  the  border,  and  more  would  come  if  such  an  exhibit 
existed  to  attract  them.     With  an  arrangement  of  this  kind  they  could  see  the 


MEXICO    AS    A    MAKKET    EOR    PUREBRED    CATTLE.  17 

stock,  could  gain  all  the  necessary  information  about  it,  and  would  no  doubt, 
when  properly  impressed,  buy  annually  a  sufficient  number  of  bulls  to  give  them 
a  high  class  and  heavy  strain  of  range  cattle.  With  cattle  selling  by  weight,  it 
would  require  no  persuasion  to  convince  them  of  the  necessity  of  introducing  the 
purebred  animals  among  their  native  herds. 

The  following  item,  which  appeared  in  a  recent  number  of  the  Mexican  Herald, 
may  not  be  uninteresting  in  this  connection: 

''A  movement  has  been  started  in  this  State  (Chihuahua)  for  the  breeding  of 
half-breed  cattle  on  a  large  scale.  Since  the  purchase  of  Sainapachic  by  Mr. 
Oxsbeer  some  time  since  the  matter  has  been  brought  prominently  before  cattle- 
men of  the  United  States,  and  is  already  bringing  results.  The  latest  venture  is 
said  to  be  on  the  part  of  William  Humphrey,  who  is  reputed  to  be  the  largest 
individual  Hereford  breeder  in  the  United  States,  his  ranch  at  Ashland,  Nebr., 
containing  thousands  of  head  of  blooded  stock.  He  has  investigated  conditions 
here,  and  is  now  negotiating  for  the  purchase  of  the  great  Purisiina  ranch  in  the 
district  of  Bravo,  and  situated  along  the  Rio  Grande.  The  hacienda  contains  over 
3.000,000  acres,  capable  of  maintaining  30.000  head  of  cattle.  A  well-known  stock- 
man of  El  Paso  recently  made  a  visit  to  Chihuahua  for  the  purpose  of  examining 
the  titles  which  are  held  by  the  present  owners  (Charles  Davis  and  the  heirs  of 
Jose  Valenzuela),  and,  if  they  are  found  to  be  satisfactory,  the  deal  will  probably 
be  made.  If  this  is  done,  Mr.  Humphrey  will  stock  the  ranch  with  native  cattle 
and  thoroughbred  bulls.*' 

On  August  6,  1901,  Mr.  Kindrick  sent  some  further  information 
relative  to  preparations  for  cattle  raising  on  an  extensive  scale,  lie 
writes : 

What  is  said  to  be  the  largest  ranch  deal  ever  made  in  the  southwest  or  north- 
ern Mexico  has  just  been  closed.  Capt.  Charles  David,  of  El  Paso.  Tex.,  trans- 
ferred the  David  ranch,  in  northeastern  Chihuahua,  Mexico,  to  the  Riverside 
Land  and  Cattle  Company,  of  Nebraska.  The  ranch  comprises  1.200,000  acres, 
and  lies  along  the  Rio  Grande.  The  price  paid  was  30  cents  per  acre,  or  $360,000. 
The  purchasers  are  William  Humphrey,  of  Ashland.  Nebr.,  and  George  E.  Ricker, 
of  Quincy,  111.  Mr.  Humphrey  is  president  and  general  manager  of  the  River- 
side Hereford  Company,  of  Ashland.  Nebr..  and  Mr.  Ricker  is  an  Illinois  banker. 
These  gentlemen  are  said  to  be  the  largest  Hereford  breeders  in  America. 

Mr.  Humphrey  states  that  the  ranch  just  purchased  will  be  stocked  with  750 
fine  Hereford  bulls  and  15.000  common  cows  immediately.  It  is  his  purpose,  he 
says,  to  give  Mexican  ranchmen  an  object  lesson  as  to  the  value  of  purebred 
cattle,  so  that  they  will  become  purchasers  of  the  fine  bulls  now  raised  in  the 
United  States. 

Mr.  Humphrey  will  at  o^nce  construct  300  miles  of  barbed  wire  fence,  and  make 
other  improvements. 

The  purchasers  of  the  ranch  state  that  it  is  their  intention  to  establish  a  perma- 
nent exhibition  of  fine  stock  at  El  Paso,  Tex. 

DURANGO. 

From  Walter  H  Faulkner,  United  States  consul  at  Durango, 
Mexico,  dated  April  11,  1901: 

The  number  of  American  investors  coming  here  in  quest  of  business  openings 
has  been  constantly  increasing  the  last  few  years,  and  quite  a  percentage  of  them 
have  put  their  money  into  ranches  and  ranch  land.    As  would  be  supposed,  not 

20755— No.  41—02 2 


18  BUREAU    OF    ANIMAL    INDUSTRY. 

content  with  the  cattle  produced  in  this  country,  they  have  all  to  a  greater  or  less 
extent  given  their  efforts  and  attention  to  a  betterment  of  the  grade  by  importing 
purebred  animals  from  the  States  and  mixing  them  with  the  Mexican  stock. 
This  has  roused  the  Mexican  ranchmen  to  realization  of  the  superiority  of  Ameri- 
can cattle  and  the  advantages  to  be  derived  from  interbreeding  the  two  grades. 
until  now  a  great  many  haciendas  in  this  section  have  their  limited  number  of 
purebred  animals  mixed  in  with  the  "  Longhorns.*'  It  should  be  understood, 
however,  that  the  move  in  this  direction  is  only  in  its  inception;  that  the  demand 
for  a  better  grade  of  cattle  has  only  recently  been  created  and  is  bound  to  greatly 
increase  from  now  on. 

The  best  method  that  presents  itself  to  me  for  bringing  such  cattle  to  the  notice 
of  this  people  is  one  that  has  within  the  past  year  or  so  already  been  put  into  exe- 
cution by  one  or  two  individuals  for  a  short  length  of  time,  viz,  bringing  a  few 
cars  of  blooded  animals  here,  renting  a  suitable  place  near  the  city  (in  securing 
which  there  is  no  great  difficulty) .  and  keeping  them  on  exhibition  and  for  sale. 

There  could  hardly  be  more  room  for  improvement  in  a  grade  of  cattle  than 
there  is  here  in  Mexico.  Mexican  ranchmen  are  coming  to  realize  this  fact  and 
are  beginning  now  to  remedy  the  evil  by  importing  and  mixing  with  the  native 
stock  some  of  the  best  breeds  of  the  United  States. 

MEXICO. 

From  Andrew  D.  Barlow,  consul-general  at  the  City  of  Mexico, 
Mexico,  dated  June  5,  1901: 

There  is  a  demand  in  all  parts  of  Mexico  where  cattle  are  raised  for  purebred 
animals  to  improve  the  native  stock.  The  demand  for  purebred  dairy  stock  is 
the  most  marked,  and  the  breed  of  dairy  stock  in  this  immediate  vicinity  and  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  republic  has  greatly  improved  in  the  past  few  years.  The 
growing  demand  for  purebred  cattle  is  illustrated  by  comparing  the  value  of 
cattle  imported  into  this  country  for  the  fiscal  year  of  1892-93.  which  amounted 
to  $9,042.  with  that  for  1898-99.  which  amounted  to  $162,073.  the  importation  of 
cattle  into  this  country  being  confined  almost  entirely  to  purebred  animals. 

Every  encouragement  is  being  offered  to  the  improvement  of  native  cattle 
breeds  by  the  Government  of  Mexico  and  by  many  public-spirited  citizens  of  the 
republic.  In  August  last,  by  special  act  of  Congress,  all  impost  of  duties  on  pure- 
bred cattle  imported  for  breeding  purposes  were  remitted,  and  I  am  informed  by 
the  Honorable  Leandro  Fernandez,  Secretary  of  Fomento.  that  since  that  time  he 
has  investigated  requests  for  the  remission  of  duty  on  146  head. 

Up  to  the  present  time  importations  of  purebred  cattle  into  this  country  have 
been  confined  almost  exclusively  to  Swiss  and  American  cattle.  It  must  be 
admitted  that  at  present  Swiss  cattle  are  rather  more  in  favor  among  the  native 
stock  raisers  than  American  cattle,  not  from  any  lack  of  merit  of  really  purebred 
American  cattle,  but  because  certain  unscrupulous  dealers  have  imposed  inferior 
cattle  upon  native  cattle  raisers  and  breeders  under  the  representation  that  they 
were  purebred  American  cattle.  The  deception  is.  of  course,  found  out  sooner 
or  later  and  reflects  in  no  small  degree  upon  American  cattle  or,  rather,  upon 
American  cattle  dealers  in  general.  Of  cattle  purchased  from  Americans  in  the 
United  States  there  has  not  been,  to  my  knowledge,  a  single  complaint.  Such 
cattle  have  always  proved  entirely  satisfactory,  but  their  cost  is  so  high  as  to  be 
almost  prohibitory,  as  will  be  shown  more  in  detail  in  succeeding  paragraphs. 
The  practice  of  the  Swiss  Government  of  inspecting  all  cattle  exported  from  that 
country  and  issuing  certificates  of  the  pedigrees  of  all  exported  cattle  has  pre- 
vented the  importation  into  this  country  of  any  spurious  Swiss  cattle.  In  this 
high  altitude  Swiss  cattle,  when  judiciously  crossed  with  native  cows,  give  a 
breed  nearly  as  good  as  the  original  stock  and  less  liable  to  sickness.    American 


MEXICO    AS    A    MARKET    EOR    PUREBRED    CATTLE.  19 

purebred  cattle  have  not  done  well  on  the  large  ranches  where  they  have  been 
turned  out  with  the  herds,  not  being  used  to  the  hardships  of  ranch  life;  but 
where  they  have  been  kept  penned  up  and  cared  for  as  in  the  United  States  they 
have  given  good  results.  The  only  objection  to  them  is  their  high  price.  The 
breeds  of  American  cattle  generally  imported  into  this  country  are  Holstein- 
Friesians.  Durhams.  and  Herefords.  These  cattle  easily  become  acclimated  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  republic.  A  few  wealthy  cattle  raisers  have  experi- 
mented  with  the  breeding  of  fine  cattle  with  rather  unsatisfactory  commercial 
results,  but  these  results  appear  to  have  been  due  to  conditions  which  could  be 
remedied. 

I  have  interviewed  a  number  of  leading  local  stock  dealers  who  supply  the  Mexi- 
can markets  with  beef  cattle,  and  it  was  stated  by  them  that  the  meat  industry 
in  Mexico  is  as  yet  in  its  early  stages  of  development,  and  quality  now  counts  for 
very  little  in  beef  cattle.  It  would  seem,  however,  that  it  is  merely  a  matter  of 
educating  the  tastes  of  the  people,  who  are  able  to  pay  high  prices  for  meat,  to 
demand  a  better  quality  than  they  are  now  able  to  buy  in  the  local  meat  markets. 
Some  local  meat  dealers  with  whom  I  have  conversed  have  expressed  the  opinion 
that  a  demand  for  high-grade  meat  could  be  created  here  and  have  expressed  their 
willingness  to  handle  such  meat  if  they  could  procure  it  regularly.  One  or  more 
packing  houses  are  projected  in  this  republic  by  American  firms.  A  packing 
house  is  said  to  be  now  in  course  of  construction  near  Uruapam  by  the  American 
Beef  Company,  and  another  is  said  to  be  under  way  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
republic — out  of  my  district,  however — by  another  American  firm.  These  pack- 
ing houses  will  presumably  raise  the  standard  of  marketable  beef  in  this  republic 
and  therefore  create  a  demand  for  better  grades  of  cattle.  I  understand  that 
they  themselves  are  arranging  for  the  importation  of  purebred  American  cattle 
for  breeding  purposes. 

Among  cattle  raisers  whom  I  interviewed  were  Manuel  Sainz  and  Juan 
Martinez  del  Cerro,  wealthy  men,  owners  of  fine  dairy  cattle,  and  men  of  consider- 
able experience  in  the  raising  of  fine  cattle.  I  will  reproduce  their  joint  interview 
as  nearly  verbatim  as  possible,  as  containing  the  gist  of  the  remarks  made  by  all 
the  cattle  raisers  I  have  interviewed  on  this  subject: 

"  Some  of  the  finest  cattle  ever  seen  in  Mexico,"'  they  said,  "  have  been  brought 
here  from  the  United  States  or  are  the  offspring  of  American-bred  parents.  We 
need  for  our  dairy  business  cows  which  will  produce  large  quantities  of  milk,  the 
quality  of  which  does  not  cut  any  figure  with  us,  because  we  have  only  a  limited 
demand  for  cream  and  rich  milk  on  account  of  the  slight  appreciation  of  our  peo- 
ple for  rich  butter  and  cheese.  We  prefer  the  Holsteins  on  this  account,  but 
have  given  up  the  buying  of  them  in  the  United  States  because  the  price  asked 
for  purebred  cattle  by  American  raisers  is  too  high.  This  is  no  fault  of  the 
American  raisers,  but  is  due  entirely  to  the  dishonesty  of  a  certain  class  of  deal- 
ers who  make  a  practice  of  importing  inferior  animals,  representing  them  to  be 
purebred  Holsteins  or  Herefords,  or  whatever  the  breed  may  be,  which  deceive 
ignorant  buyers,  and  on  account  of  the  easy  terms  offered  by  the  dealers,  find  a 
quick  market. 

The  purchasers  of  this  inferior  stock  find  their  customers  among  the  more 
ignorant,  and  sell  the  product  of  bulls  and  cows  bought  by  them  as  genuine,  at 
prices  with  which  the  owners  of  purebred  American  cattle  can  not  compete.  Of 
course,  the  inferior  stock  is  soon  found  out  by  the  purchasers,  and,  as  a  result, 
American  cattle  are  discredited,  and  breeders  find  it  more  to  their  advantage  to 
bring  their  stock  from  Switzerland,  where  the  law  protects  the  legitimate  raiser 
and  makes  it  impossible  for  the  dishonest  dealer  to  palm  off  inferior  stock  upon 
the  ignorant.  With  every  bull  or  cow  brought  from  Switzerland  we  receive  a 
certificate  from  the  authorities  giving  the  pedigree  of  the  animal,  and  we  do  not 
remember  a  single  instance  of  deception  practiced  with  Swiss  cattle.     If  the 


20  BUREAU    OF    ANIMAL    INDUSTRY. 

Government  of  the  United  States  would  adopt  some  measures  to  protect  the  trade 
against  the  tricks  of  irresponsible  dealers  and  stop  the  exportation  of  inferior  cat- 
tle under  false  pretenses,  we  have  no  donbt  that  American  cattle  would  soon 
become  the  most  sought  after  in  Mexico.'* 

From  personal  knowledge.  I  believe  the  views  of  Messrs.  Sainz  and  Cerro  to  be 
well  founded  in  fact.  I  will  also  give  the  views  of  Ernest  Gerhart,  importer  of 
cattle,  as  follows: 

' "  I  believe  that  the  most  effective  way  to  introduce  purebred  American  cattle 
into  Mexico  would  be  to  establish  show  and  sales  stables  in  the  city  of  Mexico 
and  another  at  Chihuahua,  managed  in  the  interests  of  the  principal  cattle  breeders 
of  the  United  States,  particularly  of  the  middle  West,  by  an  American  who  has 
had  experience  in  this  country  and  has  a  ready  command  of  its  language.  The 
expenses  of  such  a  depot  would  probably  not  exceed  $250  per  month  (Mexican 
currency) .  including  salary,  rent.  help,  and  feed.  If  the  interested  parties  would 
be  satisfied  to  sell  their  animals,  at  least  for  the  first  year,  on  the  basis  of  the 
prices  they  obtain  at  home,  with  the  proportionate  freight  and  expenses  of  their 
joint  agency  added.  I  believe  that  a  great  many  more  cattle  would  be  imported 
than  heretofore.  A  more  widespread  introduction  of  Durham  and  Hereford  bulls 
in  the  northern  part  of  the  republic  would  benefit  the  United  States,  which  buys 
a  considerable  number  of  young  range  cattle  from  the  State  of  Chihuahua,  and 
the  same  class  of  bulls  and  Holstein  cows  would  find  increased  demand  in  the 
southern  part  of  Mexico." 

I  will  quote  a  statement  made  to  me  by  the  Hon.  Leandro  Fernandez.  Minister 
of  Fomento.  as  follows: 

"I  believe  that,  to  promote  the  importation  into  this  country  of  fine-blooded 
cattle  from  the  United  States,  it  will  be  necessary  for  the  cattle  raisers  of  the 
United  States  to  reduce  their  prices,  for  the  real  obstruction  to  the  importation  of 
American  cattle  is  to  be  found  in  the  high.  I  might  say  almost  prohibitive,  prices." 

This  remark  is  worthy  of  serious  consideration.  It  would  seem  to  me  to  be 
expedient  for  American  cattle  raisers  to  sell  stock  to  Mexican  cattle  raisers  at  very 
low  prices  for  a  time,  to  encourage  the  importation  of  American  cattle  into  this 
country,  and  to  create  a  steady  demand  for  the  American  pure  breeds. 

In  1894  an  organization  was  formed  in  Coyoacan.  a  suburb  of  this  city  and  the 
immediate  vicinity,  of  private  individuals  or  individuals  acting  in  a  private 
capacity,  known  as  the  Coyoacan  Fair  Association,  or  the  Sociedad  Anonima  de 
Concursos  en  Coyoacan.  which  association  held  a  live-stock  show  in  the  same 
suburb  in  January.  1895.  and  has  held  a  similar  show  each  year  since  that  time. 
Cattle  form  so  important  a  part  of  this  live-stock  show  that  it  may  almost  be 
called  a  cattle  show.  The  object  of  the  association  is  purely  to  encourage  the 
breeding  of  fine  stock  in  Mexico,  and  it  is  doing  a  most  praiseworthy  work  in  that 
direction.  For  exhibitors  of  cattle  or  other  stock  at  this  annual  fair,  all  expenses 
of  transportation  and  maintenance  are  paid  by  the  association,  whether  the 
exhibitors  be  native  or  foreign.  The  fair  association  received  the  assistance  of 
the  Government  in  the  matter  of  transportation.  At  the  last  annual  fair  of  this 
association,  held  in  October  last,  several  American  cattle  raisers  had  exhibits 
brought  thither  from  the  United  States,  and  other  American  cattle  raisers  in  this 
republic  were  well  represented.  In  the  matter  of  prizes  the  American  exhibitors 
were  very  successful.  The  fair  was  well  attended  by  representative  stock  raisers, 
and  the  American  exhibitors  sold  a  number  of  head  of  cattle  to  them.  I  would 
recommend  that  American  raisers  of  purebred  cattle  be  well  represented  at  the 
succeeding  fairs  of  this  association. 

Summing  up  the  methods  by  which  the  importation  of  American  purebred 
cattle  into  this  Republic  may  be  encouraged.  I  would  respectfully  suggest  the  fol- 
lowing measures: 

First.  An  inspection  of  alleged  pureored  cattle  exported  to  foreign  countries 


MEXICO    AS    A    MARKET    FOR   PUREBRED    CATTLE.  21 

by  the  United  States  Government,  to  protect  the  honest  cattle  raisers  in  the 
United  States  and  to  preserve  the  high  reputation  of  American  purebred  cattle 
abroad.     If  this  be  impracticable.  I  would  respectfully  suggest — 

Second.  That  the  leading  raisers  of  purebred  cattle  in  the  United  States 
cooperate  to  prevent  the  exportation  of  inferior  cattle  from  the  United  States  to 
foreign  countries  under  the  representation  that  they  are  purebred.  An  organiza- 
tion of  American  raisers  of  purebred  cattle,  with  funds  appropriated  for  that 
purpose,  could  probably  prevent  in  large  measure  the  imposition  of  inferior  cattle 
upon  cattle  raisers  in  this  and  other  foreign  countries  under  the  representation 
that  they  are  purebred  by  assisting  the  government  of  such  countries  and 
cooperating  with  them  in  enforcing  their  laws.  Such  an  association  might  regis- 
ter purebred  cattle  and  become  responsible  to  foreign  buyers  for  the  accuracy  of 
pedigrees  issued  by  it.  It  might  maintain  in  this  and  other  foreign  countries  per- 
manent cattle  exhibitions  and  employ  competent  men  to  study  the  particular 
needs  of  each  section  and  ascertain  what  breeds  of  American  cattle  would  do  best 
in  that  section.  1  believe  that  the  expenses  of  such  an  association  would  be 
repaid  many  times  over  to  the  individual  members. 

NOG  ALES. 

From  J.  F.  Darnall,  consul  at  Nogales,  Mexico,  dated  April  15, 
1901: 

The  improvement  of  the  native  cattle  in  northwestern  Mexico  is  comparatively 
in  its  infancy.  On  the  border  between  Mexico  and  Arizona  this  matter  has 
assumed  some  importance,  Mr.  Colin  Cameron,  of  Arizona,  one  of  the  largest 
stockmen  on  the  border,  and  a  few  others  of  like  note  have  for  the  past  few  years 
been  giving  this  subject  much  attention,  and.  as  I  believe,  with  profitable  results 
to  themselves  and  a  wonderful  benefit  to  the  cattle  raisers  of  Mexico.  The 
improvement  in  the  stock  of  cattle  has  been  marked  throughout  a  large  space  of 
country  by  the  efforts  of  these  few  gentlemen.  On  the  border  the  dairymen,  who 
are  operating  on  a  small  scale,  as  fast  as  they  can  are  changing  their  native  cows 
to  the  improved  breeds  of  the  United  States.  Persons  engaged  in  shipping  such 
cows  to  Nogales  for  the  past  two  years  find  a  ready  market  for  them  at  remuner- 
ative prices. 

One  other  important  factor  in  improving  the  native  stock  of  Mexico  is  the  Mex- 
ican Hereford  Breeding  and  Importing  Company,  of  Chihuahua.  Mexico.  This 
company  is  composed  of  gentlemen  from  the  United  States,  with  Mr.  J.  M.  Cur- 
tice, of  Kansas  City,  as  president.  The  Mexican  Farmer  and  Stockman,  a  journal 
published  by  this  company  both  in  the  English  and  Spanish  language,  with  illus- 
trations, is  being  widely  distributed.  Where  it  is  desirable  to  prosecute  the  busi- 
ness of  introducing  purebred  cattle  into  Mexico  on  an  extensive  scale,  I  am  not 
able  to  conceive  of  a  better  plan  than  that  adopted  by  the  aforesaid  company. 
On  a  less  extensive  scale,  according  to  my  judgment,  the  only  true  road  to  satis- 
factory results  is  to  bring  seller  and  buyer  together,  coupling  this  with  the  estab- 
ing  of  agents  when  necessary.  This  would  not  be  hard  to  do.  for  it  must  be 
remembered  that  American  herdsmen  are  all  the  time  becoming  more  and  more 
numerous  in  Mexico.  Notwithstanding  this  latter  fact.  I  would  urge  the  impor- 
tance of  the  representatives  in  Mexico  being  able  to  understand  and  speak  the 
Spanish  language. 

Diverging  somewhat  from  the  question  in  hand.  I  wish  to  say  in  a  general  way 
that  the  quicker  the  American  exporter  abandons  the  idea  of  taking  and  holding 
the  trade  of  Mexico  by  correspondence  only,  the  better.  The  door  of  opportunity 
is  opened  in  northwestern  Mexico  for  the  breeders  of  purebred  cattle.  The  field  is 
large.  Sonora  alone  embraces  about  76,000  square  miles.  Cattle  raising  must  ever 
be  one  of  the  principal  industries,  not  of  Sonora  alone,  but  of  the  adjoining  States. 


22  BUREAU    OF    ANIMAL    INDUSTRY. 


MATAMORAS. 


From  P.  M.  Griffith,  United  States  consul  at  Matamoras,  Mexico, 
dated  March  23,  1900: 

Mexico  contains  a  great  many  haciendas  admirably  adapted  and  almost  exclu- 
sively devoted  to  the  raising  of  cattle.  A  fact  which  is  attracting  general  interest 
here  is  that  every  season  shows  an  improvement  in  the  care  taken  of  the  animals, 
and  also  in  the  class  imported.  The  stockmen  throughout  this  country  are  taking 
such  an  interest  in  this  direction  and  have  imported  so  many  purebred  cattle 
from  the  United  States  that  on  many  haciendas  one  may  find  animals  which  com- 
pare favorably  with  those  on  noted  breeding  farms  in  the  North.  In  former 
years  they  consisted  exclusively  of  the  old  long-homed  Spanish  and  Mexican 
types,  which  have  large  bones  and  frames  and  long  legs  but  are  deficient  in  flesh. 
This  deficiency  is  certainly  not  due  to  the  country,  for  the  climate,  grass,  water, 
and  general  topography  are  decidedly  favorable  to  animal  growth  and  comfort, 
and  while  it  is  a  generally  recognized  fact  that  Mexican  stock  is  inferior  to 
United  States  animals,  it  is  the  prevailing  opinion  that  a  cross  between  the  pure 
blood  of  the  North  and  the  cow  acclimated  here  produces  a  large,  healthy,  vigor- 
ous offspring,  with  an  unusually  compact  muscular  development. 

MONTEREY. 

From  Philip  C.  Hanna,  consul-general  at  Monterey,  Mexico,  dated 
April  17,  1901: 

For  the  past  four  years  the  exportation  of  cattle  from  Mexico  has  been  large, 
due  to  the  American-Spanish  war  and  the  consequent  high  price.  Now.  however, 
the  conditions  have  changed,  so  far  as  exportation  is  concerned,  but  the  exodus, 
if  I  may  use  the  term,  during  the  term  adverted  to  has  given  the  Mexicans  a  new 
idea  as  to  the  breed  of  cattle,  and  their  eyes  are  now  open  and  directed  to  the 
United  States  for  a  better  breed.  It  is  thought  in  this  connection  that  special 
attention  should  be  given  by  those  interested  in  our  country  to  the  exportation 
into  Mexico  of  the  Herefords  and  Holstein  cattle  and  Angora  goats.  In  the  judg- 
ment of  this  consulate-general,  the  Hereford  is  more  adaptable  to  Mexico;  but 
the  opinion  is  divided  as  to  this,  save  that  many  prefer  the  Jersey.  As  to 
goats,  there  is  no  more  profitable  business  in  Mexico  than  the  raising  thereof. 
In  the  business  of  this  office  the  shipment  of  hides  of  that  animal  constitutes  one 
of  the  most  important  items.  There  is  a  large  field  for  the  introduction  of  the 
Angora,  and  to  anyone  who  undertakes  it  this  consulate-general  predicts  great  suc- 
cess. As  to  the  introduction  of  animals  of  the  character  reverted  to — as.  in  fact, 
anything  else — those  interested  must  send  a  competent  person,  thoroughly  con- 
versant with  the  Spanish  language  and  the  business,  and  associate  with  the  native 
element  interested.  Without  doubt  the  blooded-stock  associations  in  the  United 
States  could  introduce  ' '  stock  shows  ? '  in  the  cities  and  towns  of  Mexico  that 
would  make  a  valuable  impression  on  the  Mexican  stockmen  and  would  prove 
an  advantage  to  stock  raisers  of  both  countries.  If  any  of  our  people  wish  to 
resort  to  advertising,  our  consuls  will  gladly  furnish  them  with  such  lists  of  Mex- 
ican newspapers  in  the  Spanish  language  as  will  be  most  likely  to  reach  the  Mexican 
ranch  owners.  The  field  is  simply  immense,  and  it  only  remains  with  the  breeders 
in  America  to  embrace  it. 

SALTILLO. 

From  Charles  Burr  Towle,  at  that  time  United  States  consul  at 
Saltillo,  Mexico,  dated  April  20,  1901: 

There  is  not  at  present  any  demand  within  the  limits  of  this  consular  district 
for  purebred  cattle  for  improving  native  stock. 


MEXICO    AS    A    MARKET    FOR    PUREBRED    CATTLE.  23 

This  is  a  mountain  consulate,  at  an  altitude  of  5.500  feet  above  sea  level,  and 
there  are  no  cattle  ranches  within  its  boundaries,  the  country  not  being  suitable 
for  same.  Conditions  here  differ  very  much  from  those  a  few  hundred  miles 
north  or  south  in  Mexico,  there  being  practically  no  breeders  of  cattle  in  this 
vicinity.  There  are  a  very  few  dairymen  who  import  their  stock:  but  there  is  no 
market  here  which  would  warrant  breeders  in  the  United  States  in  making  an 
effort  to  bring  the  attention  of  the  few  stock  growers  to  their  cattle. 

VERA   CRUZ. 

From  William  W.  Canada,  United  States  consul  at  Vera  Cruz,  dated 
April  30,  1901: 

There  is  but  a  very  small  demand  for  purebred  cattle  in  this  district,  and  there 
have  heen  but  very  few  brought  into  the  district  from  the  United  States,  as  they  do 
not  do  well  if  brought  direct  to  this  low  altitude.  I  have  been  informed  that  but 
very  few  live  long.  They  frequently  take  sick  in  the  night  and  are  dead  by 
morning. 

The  best  method  seems  to  be  to  ship  them  to  the  higher  altitude  of  Mexico 
first,  and  acclimate  them  by  bringing  them  down  to  the  sea  level  by  degrees. 
No  doubt  it  is  better  to  breed  them  in  higher  altitudes  of  Mexico  and  bring  them 
down  when  they  are  less  than  a  year  old. 

I  am  of  the  opinion  that  a  large  ranch  of  purebred  cattle  located  near  Jalapa 
or  Orizaba  in  this  State  could  do  a  good  business. 

The  American  Breeding  Company,  of  Chihuahua.  State  of  Chihuahua,  are  doing 
a  profitable  business.  They  publish  an  illustrated  paper,  which  is  sent  to  the 
cattle  men  of  the  republic,  and  I  am  sure  that  this  is  the  best  method  of  securing 
the  attention  of  the  stock  growers  of  Mexico.  I  believe  that  a  catalogue,  well 
illustrated  with  pictures  of  the  various  breeds  of  cattle,  placed  in  the  hands  of  the 
cattle  men  would  result  in  many  orders.  The  same  is  true  of  high-bred  horses, 
chickens,  and  dogs. 

I  directed  a  letter  to  Hon.  Alexander  M.  Gaw.  who  is  a  special  agent  appointed 
by  Governor  Dehesa  of  this  State,  and  one  to  Mr.  H.  J.  Langdon.  who  lives  about 
100  miles  from  here,  in  one  of  the  best  cattle  districts:  and  I  inclose  their  replies. 
I  also  inclose  a  letter  from  the  Mexican  Hereford  Breeding  and  Importing  Com- 
pany.    [The  last  letter  mentioned  contains  no  information.] 

[Inclosure.] 

Jalapa.  April  15,  1901. 
Dear  Sir:  In  reply  to  your  letter  of  the  12th  instant.  I  would  say  that  the  stock 
men  of  this  section  fully  realize  the  unquestioned  importance  of  introducing  into 
their  herds  heavier  cattle  in  order  to  improve  the  native  stock. 

As  to  the  demand  for  purebred  cattle,  by  which  I  understand  you  mean  full- 
blooded,  registered  stock,  while  I  know  of  some  instances  of  the  importation  of 
cattle  of  this  class.  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  the  higher  cost  and  the  risk  in 
acclimatizing  are  factors  unfavorable  to  any  very  great  demand,  though  there  is 
some  demand.  There  is  considerable  business  in  graded  stock  and  cross  strains. 
In  reply  to  your  question  as  to  the  methods  by  which  the  attention  of  stock  growers 
may  be  secured.  I  have  no  doubt  that  advertisements  in  the  Mexican  newspapers 
would  elicit  inquiries. 

Yours,  truly.  Alex.  M.  Gaw. 

Hon.  W.  W.  Canada, 

United  States  Consul,  Vera  Cruz,  Mexico. 


24  BUREAU    OF    ANIMAL    INDUSTRY. 

Mexican  Commercial  Company  of  Illinois, 

TlacotaJpan,  V.  C.  Mexico.  April  28,  1901. 
Dear  Sir:  This  reply  to  your  letter  of  the  13th  instant  has  been  delayed,  owing 
to  my  absence  at  the  plantation  for  the  past  ten  days. 

Replying  to  your  question  as  to  the  introduction  of  thoroughbred  cattle  into  this 
country.  I  will  say:  I  have  had  many  inquiries  from  Mexicans  as  well  as  Ameri- 
cans within  the  past  year  asking  where  and  how  good  cattle  could  be  procured: 
and  while  I  do  not  think  the  demand  would  be  great  for  some  time.  I  do  think  if 
there  was  some  source  of  supply  in  this  district  a  good  demand  could  be  created. 

The  best  method  of  introducing  them  would  be  to  establish  headquarters  on 
some  ranch  in  this  district,  where  good  shipping  facilities  can  be  had  for  loading 
on  the  river  steamers,  and  then  sending  out  circulars  to  all  the  American  and 
Mexican  ranchers  in  the  Sotavento  (south  coast  of  Vera  Cruz)  district,  informing 
them  where  they  can  lie  had.  In  this  way  people  desiring  good  stock  could  come 
at  small  expense  to  where  the  cattle  can  be  seen,  and  make  their  own  selection. 
This  would  also  apply  to  thoroughbred  hogs,  for  which  there  is  always  a  good 
demand.  Following  this  plan,  I  think  there  is  no  question  as  to  the  establish- 
ment of  a  profitable  business  for  the  importer,  and  it  would  also  be  of  great  benefit 
to  the  country. 

Yours,  very  truly. 

H.  J.  Langdon. 
Hon.  W.  W.  Canada. 

United  States  Consul.  Vera  Cruz,  Mexico. 

TAMPICO. 

From  Samuel  E.  Magill,  consul  at  Tampico,  Mexico,  dated  July  12, 
1901 : 

The  demand  for  purebred  stock  in  this  part  of  Mexico  is  limited  to  a  very  few 
of  the  wealthier  ranchers,  but  the  need  for  such  animals  is  great. 

The  native  cow  is  a  fairly  good  animal,  notwithstanding  years  of  inbreeding, 
and  the  average  of  weight  would  be  greatly  increased  by  the  introduction  of 
Durham.  Hereford.  Angus,  or  Holstein. 

Throughout  the  Huasteca.  a  fertile  district  to  the  south  and  west  of  Tampico. 
may  be  found  some  cattle  with  the  marks  of  better  blood  than  the  average,  indi- 
cating that,  in  times  past,  attempts  have  been  made  on  a  small  scale  to  breed  up 
some  herds. 

About  a  year  ago  several  carloads  of  blooded  cattle  were  brought  here  under 
contract,  but  the  parties  who  brought  them  tried  to  dispose  of  another  shipment 
without  success,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  first  lot  was  not  up  to  expectations. 

The  local  cattle  dealer  of  means  desires  good  blooded  cattle  and  is  willing  to  pay 
a  reasonable  price  for  what  he  gets,  but  will  not  again  order  in  advance.  Three 
carloads  of  good  animals  can  be  sold  here  at  once. 

Animals  for  this  market  should  be  brought  here  from  south  of  the  quarantine 
line  of  Texas,  as  several  species  of  ticks  are  common  here  which  would  endanger 
the  health  of  animals  brought  from  points  farther  north. 

I  am  reasonably  sure  that  the  cattlemen  here  will  not  again  buy  without  seeing 
the  animals  first,  so  would  deem  it  useless  just  now  to  send  them  literature,  adver- 
tisements, or  photographs.  The  trade  will  commence  when  some  one  here  demon- 
strates the  success  of  improved  breeding,  and  the  others  will  follow  as  a  matter 
of  self-preservation.  I  believe  such  example  will  come  from  some  of  our  cattle- 
men moving  here,  where  lands  are  cheap  and  grass  is  good,  bringing  with  them 
some  of  the  best  breeds  and  giving  a  practical  demonstration  of  the  value  of  well- 
bred  over  common  cattle. 


MEXICO    AS    A    MARKET    FOR    PUREBRED    CATTLE.  25 

I  am  reliably  informed  that  an  American  cattle  man  has  been  quite  successful 
in  the  importation  of  Hoist  ein  bulls  for  breeding  to  select  native  cows  for  dairy 
purposes.  His  ranch  is  near  Tuxpan.  about  90  miles  south  of  this  city.  But  such 
enterprises,  as  a  rule,  will  not  be  profitable  for  the  rancher  until  cattle  are  bought 
by  the  weight  and  not  by  the  head,  the  latter  being  the  local  custom — although 
the  local  buyers  tell  me  that,  when  buying  a  herd,  they  take  into  consideration 
the  size  of  the  animal — and  until  the  retailer  in  the  large  cities  of  the  interior 
demands  a  better  animal  with  greater  development  of  the  loins  and  hind  quarters. 

Just  as  in  the  United  States,  the  demand  of  the  consumer  in  Northern  States 
and  in  Europe  for  the  finer  cuts  of  beef  made  the  packer  of  the  middle  West 
demand  a  better  animal  from  the  feeders  of  Missouri  and  Iowa,  whose  demand  in 
turn  of  the  breeder  of  the  West  and  Southwest  made  our  breeding  cattle  what 
they  are  now.  so  will  the  demand  for  a  better-bred  animal  in  this  part  of  Mexico 
come,  when  it  does,  from  the  natural  market  in  the  cities  of  the  interior  and  from 
Yucatan  on  the  feeder  of  the  Huasteca.  who  will  in  turn  insist  upon  the  breeder 
of  Coahuila  and  Tamaulipas  furnishing  him  -with  a  better  animal,  for  be  it 
known  that  almost  without  exception  throughout  the  Republic  of  Mexico  beef  is 
sold  by  the  retailer  to  the  consumer  in  hunks  cut  from  the  bones  with  little 
regard  as  to  the  part  of  the  animal  from  which  the  hunk  comes. 

MAZATLAX. 

From  Louis  Kaiser,  United  States  consul  at  Mazatlan,  Mexico, 
under  date  of  April  10,  1901 : 

There  have  been  quite  a  number  of  American  cattle  imported  into  this  district. 
I  find  that  the  experiment  has  proved  satisfactory  a-  well  a-  profitable,  and  I 
know  of  no  reason  why  there  should  not  be  a  good  business  established  in  import- 
ing cattle  to  this  coast. 

In  my  opinion  the  best  way  to  call  the  attention  of  the  native  stock  raisers  to 
the  purebred  cattle  of  the  United  States,  would  be  for  the  Secretary  of  Agricul- 
ture to  forward  printed  matter  on  that  subject  to  the  stock  raisers  and  importers 
in  Mexico.  If  this  is  not  feasible,  the  exporters  of  cattle  should  correspond  with 
the  stock  raisers  here,  using  the  Spanish  language  if  possible. 

It  is  difficult  to  name  the  kind  of  cattle  wanted,  as  some  prefer  the  Holsteins, 
some  the  Shorthorns,  and  some  the  Polled  Angus:  but  Jerseys  are  not  in  demand, 
owing  to  their  small  body.  Mexicans  desire  a  large  breed  of  cattle  for  butchering 
purposes.     Butchers'  stock  is  continually  in  demand  at  remunerative  prices. 

Cattle  raising  has  been  given  considerable  attention  by  the  better  class  of  farm- 
ers in  Mexico,  and  the  interest  will  no  doubt  grow  in  the  near  future.  In  this 
connection.  I  would  state  that  one  of  the  largest  cattle  sales  on  record  was  made 
by  a  Mexican  stock  raiser  in  the  adjoining  State  of  Chihuahua,  who  sold  400.000 
head  of  cattle  at  one  sale. 

YUCATAN. 

From  Edwin  Thompson,  United  States  consul  at  Progreso,  Mexico: 

There  is  at  present  an  increasing  desire  upon  the  part  of  cattle  owners  to  import 
purebred  bulls  from  England  and  the  United  States  as  a  means  of  improving  the 
native  stock.  Strictly  speaking  the  desire  has  long  been  with  many  of  the  cattle 
breeders,  but  until  the  present  era  of  exceeding  prosperity  in  Yucatan,  by  reason 
of  the  high  price  of  sisal  hemp,  their  means  have  not  been  commensurate  with 
their  ideas.  Now  that  they  have  the  money  they  are  going  into  the  importation 
of  fine-bred  cattle  with  enthusiasm.  Indeed  some  of  them  are  going  into  this 
line  of  procedure  with  an  abandon  and  vigor  that  is  not  only  childlike  but  which 
borders  on  foolishness.     For  example,  two  young  men  whose  incomes  are,  by  rea- 

20755— Xo.  4:1—02 3 


26  BUREAU    OF    ANIMAL    INDUSTRY. 

son  of  present  prices  of  sisal  grass,  unusually  large,  thought  that  they  would  have 
a  model  milk  and  dairy  farm  in  tropic  Yucatan,  Accordingly  they  went  to 
Mexico  City  (a  high  cool  tableland  region  and  climate),  and  there  inspected  and 
bought  at  good  prices  16  blooded  cows  and  several  bulls  to  serve  as  a  base  for 
their  model  dairy  and  stock  farms.  These  animals  were  indeed  fine  looking;  of 
a  Swiss  breed,  I  think.  They  were  in  their  element  while  in  the  model  farms 
upon  the  high  cool  tableland  of  Mexico;  but  when  brought  to  Yucatan  they  sick- 
ened and  died  one  by  one.  Some  lived  nearly  a  year,  but  at  the  end  of  a  twelve- 
month those  that  were  not  dead  were  nearly  so,  and  thus  the  foolish  attempt  to 
make  a  breed  of  cold-climate  cattle  thrive  in  a  hot  land  like  Yucatan  came  to  its 
certain  end. 

Among  thinking  cattle  breeders  the  present  idea  is  to  import  simply  bulls,  and 
thus  build  up  from  the  small-framed  but  hardy  and  well-built  native  stock  a  class 
of  cattle  suitable  to  the  climate  and  peculiarities  of  the  soil. 

The  climate  of  southern  Florida  is  quite  similar  to  that  of  Yucatan,  and  cattle 
that  will  endure  the  climate  of  the  above-mentioned  portion  of  the  United  States 
soil  will  probably  thrive  in  Yucatan.  All  breeds  have  been  tried  here,  but  cattle 
breeders  have  generally  settled  upon  the  Holstein  and  the  Durham  as  the  breeds 
best  adapted  to  stand  the  rigors  of  the  climate  and  the  forage  of  the  country. 

The  Durhams  are  considered  the  best  for  meat,  but  the  Holstein  the  best  "  all- 
around"  cattle.  Mobile  has  within  the  last  year  sent  a  great  many  cattle  to 
Yucatan,  some  for  breeding  and  milking  purposes  and  others  for  food.  A  certain 
percentage  of  these  die  from  a  kind  of  fever,  but  many  live — enough  to  produce  a 
decided  result  in  the  future  breeding  of  the  primitive  native  stock. 

A  very  large  stock  raiser  of  the  United  States  visited  me  some  two  years  ago, 
and,  after  duly  studying  the  native  cattle,  stated  his  belief  that  they  were  first- 
class  stock  to  breed  upon  and  produce  cattle  of  a  superior  class. 

I  shall  be  most  pleased  to  answer  in  detail  the  queries  of  any  stock  sellers  in  the 
United  States.  Any  circulars,  etc.,  sent  me  will  be  duly  distributed  where  they 
will  reach  the  persons  interested. 

NUEVO  LAREDO. 

From  J.  F.  Kimball,  vice  and  deputy  consul  at  Nuevo  Laredo,  Mex- 
ico, dated  April  6,  1901: 

There  is  not  much  demand  in  this  district  for  purebred  cattle  for  the  improve- 
ment of  the  native  stock. 

It  is  generally  so  drouthy  on  this  frontier  that  the  stock  raisers  are  afraid  to 
invest  in  fine  stock.  During  the  long  drouths,  which  occur  here  almost  annually, 
the  stock  have  to  subsist  principally  on  the  cactus  and  brush,  for  which  the  long- 
horns  seem  best  adapted.  Unless  irrigation  could  be  made  a  success,  I  would  not 
like  to  venture  even  a  guess  as  to  when  there  may  be  anything  like  a  general 
demand  in  this  section  for  the  higher  grades  of  stock. 

The  attention  of  the  stock  raisers  in  this  district  might  be  attracted,  first,  by 
extensive  advertising  showing  the  great  advantage  of  raising  purebred  stock;  sec- 
ond, by  the  stock  growers  in  the  States  visiting  or  sending  agents  to  the  ranches 
of  this  country  to  explain  to  the  growers  here  the  advantage  of  the  fine  breeds  over 
common  stock;  third,  by  shipping  in  exhibits  of  fine  stock,  showing  them  at  cen- 
tral points.  The  high  rise  in  meats  within  the  last  few  years  will,  in  the  near 
future,  lead  to  a  mighty  effort  on  the  part  of  the  growers  nere  to  raise  a  larger 
class  of  stock. 


MEXICO    AS    A    MARKET    FOR    PUREBRED    CATTLE.  27 


LA   PAZ. 

From  James  Viosca,  United  States  vice-consul  at  La  Paz,  Mexico, 
dated  April  19,  1901: 

The  barren  condition  of  this  peninsula,  which  is  due  to  its  protracted  drouths 
and  natural  sterility,  would  seem  to  make  it  a  most  uninviting  country  for  raising 
stock  of  superior  quality. 

During  the  last  months  cattle  have  been  dying  off  in  numbers,  and  those  that 
are  left  are  subsisting  entirely  on  the  various  species  of  cacti. 

A  few  experiments  have  been  tried  with  imported  California  stock,  but  these, 
as  a  rule,  could  exist  only  by  keeping  them  in  stables. 

As  an  investment  it  is  far  from  presenting  any  promise  of  success  in  this  district, 
and  consequently  I  can  not  suggest  any  methods  to  offset  the  above  facts. 

ACAPULCO. 

From  George  W.  Dickinson,  United  States  consul  at  Acapulco, 
Mexico,  dated  July  10,  1901: 

With  reference  to  the  inquiry  as  to  whether  there  is  a  demand  in  this  consular 
district  for  purebred  cattle  for  improving  the  native  stock,  I  have  to  report  that, 
after  consulting  with  such  ranchmen  as  come  within  my  reach,  there  is  no  demand 
at  present;  but,  in  my  opinion,  a  demand  could  be  easily  created  by  sending  good, 
persistent  representatives  into  the  republic  to  place  the  matter  properly  before  the 
people. 

TUXPAX. 

From  Edwin  R.  Wells,  United  States  vice-consul  at  Tuxpan,  Mexico, 
dated  May  2,  1901: 

I  report,  after  a  careful  examination  of  a  radius  of  40  miles,  that  there  are  no 
stock  ranches  of  sufficient  size  and  number  which  are  desirous  of  improving  the 
small  herds  that  they  have.  The  cost  of  bringing  in  improved  animals  is  too 
great,  as  they  must  be  landed  at  Tampico  and  driven  overland  to  the  ranches.  The 
largest  cattle  ranches  here  have  only  about  200  head. 

AGUAS   CALIEXTES. 

From  A.  M.  Raphall,  United  States  commercial  agent  at  Aguas 
Calientes,  Mexico,  dated  April  15,  1901: 

There  is  no  demand  for  purebred  cattle  in  this  district.  The  experiment  has 
been  tried  and_ failed  on  account  of  the  climate,  or  probably  want  of  care. 

REPUBLIC   OF  MEXICO. 

Mr.  A.  B.  Hulit,  corresponding  secretary  of  the  Kansas  Reciprocal 
Association,  with  offices  at  room  li,  Office  Block,  Topeka,  Kans.,  and 
who  has  an  office  also  at  Chihuahua,  Mexico,  writes  to  this  Bureau, 
under  date  of  December  31,  1901,  as  follows: 

I  have  been  interested  since  my  boyhood  in  fine  stock,  and  when  I  went  to  Mex- 
ico eight  years  ago  to  found  a  newspaper  called  Modern  Mexico,  now  published 
at  New  York  City,  I  saw  there  a  wonderful  field  for  the  sale  of  our  purebred 


28  BUREAU    OF    ANIMAL    INDUSTRY. 

animals.  I  at  once  began  the  study  of  the  situation,  finding  that  under  the 
natural  conditions  obtaining  there,  so  far  as  climate  and  grass  were  concerned. 
Mexico  is  a  natural  breeding  ground  for  cattle.  I  found  there,  however,  a  lack  of 
interest  on  the  part  of  the  native  stockmen  with  reference  to  the  subject  of 
improving  their  herds  that  was  indeed  striking.  In  fact,  bad  laws,  poor  shipping 
facilities,  coupled  with  the  disadvantage  of  poor  markets  and  still  poorer  packing 
facilities,  did  not  justify  a  very  great  interest;  but  conditions  have  changed  rap- 
idly, for  laws  are  amended  and  altered,  railroads  are  ample,  and  new  packing 
companies  are  springing  up.  so  that  ere  long  Mexico  will  be  a  cattle  country  in 
all  that  is  necessary  to  insure  a  profitable  business. 

High  lands  are  fairly  well  grassed  and  watered,  and  being  at  so  high  an  eleva- 
tion, the  cattle  are  not  affected  with  Texas  fever  or  any  other  injurious  diseases. 
Sheep  find  here  a  natural  home,  but  there  is  occasionally  some  scab,  due  to 
neglect,  although,  owing  to  the  mildness  of  the  climate,  it  is  not  serious.  Dip- 
ping facilities  are  now  being  introduced  rapidly,  and  these  will  soon  make  scab  a 
thing  of  the  past.  Ranches  are  owned,  which  fact  prevents  the  passing  of  flocks 
from  one  section  to  another,  thus  preventing  the  spread  of  this  disease. 

It  is  not  safe  to  take  our  Northern  cattle  to  the  tropics  or  semitropics,  because 
of  the  prevalence  of  the  Texas  fever  tick:  those  regions  will  have  to  be  stocked 
from  the  Southern  States,  where  cattle  are  immune  from  Texas  fever. 

On  the  whole,  I  see  no  good  reason  why.  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  native  stock 
in  Mexico  is  very  poor,  that  we  can  not  sell  millions  of  dollars  worth  of  our  stock 
there.  The  cattle  which  I  took  to  Mexico  were  taken  upon  the  invitation  of  the 
Mexican  Government,  to  be  exhibited  at  the  Government  fair  held  at  the  City  of 
Mexico,  where  they  won  the  grand  prize  as  the  best  herd  of  cattle.  They  were 
Herefords.  and  created  no  small  amount  of  interest,  as  they  were  the  first  of  this 
kind  of  cattle  ever  exhibited  there.  The  President  presented  me  the  grand  prize 
in  the  presence  of  many  of  the  leading  men  of  Mexico,  and  spoke  on  this  occa- 
sion in  such  a  manner  that  I  feel  able  to  say  to  my  fellow-stockmen  of  America 
that  the  Government  of  Mexico  and  her  leading  men  appreciate  our  stock  and 
will  make  us  welcome  in  that  country. 

o 


UNIVERSITY  OF  FLORIDA 

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